Because desktop Linux is an absolute bloody mess and most IT departments are completely justified in not wanting to deal with it?
I’m not saying that Windows is great. I haven’t willingly used it in 15 years. But you can’t keep your head in the sand about the sad state of Linux and anything graphical, especially on esoteric hardware.
POS systems are often effectively Internet-connected, because they need to report stock levels, connect to financial networks, process BNPL applications, etc. it’s completely warranted to treat them like ‘endpoints’, because they are.
POS terminals and electronic billboards are not desktops, though, so arguments about desktop software is irrelevant. These are all dedicated application appliances with known, controlled hardware and software constraints. Using a general-purpose desktop designed for corporate executives running Excel and PowerPoint is just the wrong technology choice for such an application. Some kind of specialized Linux-based system, on the other hand, is an excellent choice.
Most of the point of sale systems I've seen run Windows, which means most of the off-the-shelf apps are written for Windows. Even if they are written in Java, they have hard dependencies on Windows.
> Using a general-purpose desktop designed for corporate executives running Excel and PowerPoint is just the wrong technology choice for such an application.
Agree, which is why most of the time you use Windows Embedded for Point of Service or Windows IoT Enterprise. Which again, is Windows.
I’m not saying that Windows is great. I haven’t willingly used it in 15 years. But you can’t keep your head in the sand about the sad state of Linux and anything graphical, especially on esoteric hardware.
POS systems are often effectively Internet-connected, because they need to report stock levels, connect to financial networks, process BNPL applications, etc. it’s completely warranted to treat them like ‘endpoints’, because they are.